1941 Gas rationing begins in eastern U.S.
Although the U.S. had not yet entered World War II at this time, gasoline rationing began in parts of the eastern United States on this day in 1941. The rationing would spread to the rest of the country as soon as the U.S. joined the Allied forces, and the production of cars for private use halted completely in 1942. Measures of a similar sort had already taken place in most European countries.
I was told by some people that should know that the USA instituted gas rationing only to save rubber for tires. We had plenty of gas but the Japanese had taken over most of the areas where rubber trees grew.
Posted by: Peter at August 3, 2006 09:31 AM